Community Safety Hub

What you need to know.

A Guide to Staying Safe during a Mill Emergency

Kinleith Mill has been part of our community since 1953.

Introducing Kinleith Mill

Kinleith Mill has been a part of the community since it opened in 1953. It currently produces packaging papers and bleached softwood kraft market pulp.

In producing pulp and paper, Kinleith Mill also manufactures a range of chemicals including hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and Turpentine.

In May 2022, as part of our commitment to continuously improve Kinleith Mill safety performance, we permanently closed our liquid chlorine operations. Liquid chlorine previously presented the biggest risk to the mill and the community, due to the 250 Tonnes stored. Chlorine continues to be manufactured and used as a gas, but it is no longer stored at Kinleith Mill.

Kinleith Mill holds large quantities of hazardous materials.

Materials with potential for off-site impacts:

Chlorine, a highly toxic gas – 50 kilograms

Chlorine dioxide, a highly toxic gas – 8 tonnes

Turpentine, a highly flammable liquid – 85m3

Hydrogen peroxide, an explosive liquid – 50m3

Holding such large quantities of hazardous materials means Kinleith Mill is designated a Major Hazard Facility (MHF).

Worksafe NZ requires MHF operators to prepare a Safety Case that demonstrates how the facility is as safe as it should be and includes a comprehensive Emergency Plan.

WorkSafe NZ have accepted our Kinleith Mill Safety Case and are confident in our ability to safely manage chemicals.

Paper Mill

500

employees on site

OjiFS KINLEITH MILL

The emergency plan.

What is in the kinleith mill emergency plan?

A major incident could affect you.
We want you to be prepared.

What are the worst-case scenarios?

A chlorine or chlorine-dioxide release could cause a toxic gas plume to drift several kilometres downwind of the mill.

A fire resulting from ignited turpentine could generate very large amount of acrid black smoke.

People working or living close to the mill are most likely to be impacted by these types of events should they occur.

Here’s what to do.
If in doubt, seek shelter.

What to do in a major emergency at the mill:

if you:
– Hear a site alarm – Smell chlorine – See large amounts of smoke drifting towards you – Receive notification from emergency services
TAKE Shelter
– Stay indoors or seek shelter – Close external windows and doors – Seal gaps with blankets, towels or duct tape – Turn off heaters, air conditioners and exhaust fans – Close fireplace dampers
Stay informed
– Listen to the radio – Keep your mobile phone handy – Follow instructions from emergency services– Visit www.civildefence.govt.nz for more information– Revisit this website kinleithsafety.ojifs.com for mill updates
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